Bag closing and sealing machine



4 Sheets-Sheet l June 8, 1937,;

I NVENTOR ATTORNEYS HELMER ANDERSON BYW 2 Q U D A L F 4 -1 a W H MN m H m U W 7 ll You W ma aw no. .9 \I 4W ma. mm :w 1 6 V k a w m bk. o l 3 L 9 i? b o t u l hl l fiv x J o o M m F 2: O

H. ANDERSON BAG CLOSING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1,954

Juhe s, 1931. 2,083,417

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOH HE-LMEIR ANDERSON ATrdmusys June 8, 1937. H. ANDERSON 2,033,417

BAG CLOSING AND SEALING MACHINE 'Filed Aug. 16, 1954- 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR HELMER ANDERSON ATTOFINEYE June 8, 1937. H. ANDERSON v 2,083,417

BAG CLOSING AND SEALING MA'CHINE Filed Aug. 16 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INvENToR Y HELME-R ANDERSON Patented June UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE to General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, corporation of Delaware Minn a Application August 16, 1934, Serial No. 740,063

13 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvemen s in bag closing and sealing machines, and more particularly to machines of the type shown in my Patent No. 1,984,049, issued Decem- 5 ber 11, 1934.

An object of the present invention is to provide means for completing the final step of closing and sealing the open bag tori, whereby the bag top walls will be folded smoothly and firmly into engagement with the bag body to thereby provide a very neat and attractive appearing bag.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism o'perable in connection with a bag closing and sealing machine to complete the final operation of sealing the bag top, which has a member mounted for movement transversely to the line of travel of the bag, adapted' to engage the partially folded bag top with a wiping action, whereby the bag top is smoothly folded into contact with the bag body.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel construction of the means for completing the final operation of closing the bag top, whereby said mechanism may readily be adapted for handling bags of different sizes; in the provision of a shoe member for engaging the partially folded bag top walls with a wiping action, to thereby i'old them smoothly into engagement with the bag body, whereby the walls of the bag top cannot buckle or wrinkle during the final folding operation thereof; in the means pro-' vided in connection with said shoe member for preventing the partially folded bag top walls from unfolding, prior to being engaged by the shoe, and whereby said means acts as a straight edge against and over which the partially folded bag top walls are folded, said member operating in timed relation to the travel of said shoe member, and in such a manner that it moves out of engagement with the bag top, when the shoe member has partially folded the latter into engagement with the bag body, to thereby permit the bag top to be firmly folded into direct engagement with the bag body.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the an- 50 nexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined 55 to the exact features shown as various changes (01. 93-6) may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figurel is a plan view of a portion of a bag closing and sealing machine showing the inven- 5 tion embodied in the construction thereof;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of Figure 1, showing in part the means for driving the gumming mechanism;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 10 33 of Figure 2, showing the means for completing the final folding of the bag top;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 2, showing the position of the parts when the bag top has been folded into engagementwith the bag body;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing a bag positioned beneath the folding means; and

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 20 6-6 of Figure 3, with some of the parts omitted.

The novel mechanism herein disclosed is shown used in connection with a machine of the general type shown in my patent, hereinbefore mentioned, and as that portion of the bag 0105- ing and sealing machine herein illustrated is substantially the same as that shown and described in the abovementioned pending' application, it will be unnecessary to herein describe the same in detail. 0

Briefly, the bag closing and sealing machine 3 comprises a bed plate 2, which constitutes the bottom of a conveyer having side walls 3 and 4, the former extending substantially the full length of the machine, as best shown in Figure 1. A 0011- veyer chain 5 is shown supported at one end by a suitable sprocket I, and the opposite end thereof is supported upon a similar sprocket, not shown in the drawings. The conveyer chain 5 is driven by a suitable mechanism, not shown, and which 40 operatively connects it with the main operating shaft 8 of the machine, which has an operativeconnection .with the drive shaft 9. The conveyer chain'is provided with a plurality of flights II which engage the bags or containers delivered to the conveyer, and thereby feed them lengthwise through the machine between the conveyer walls 3 and 4. The wall 4- of the conveyer is provided at H) with a suitable gap, through whichthe flights I I of the chain 5 pass, when they leave the conveyer on their return avel.

It is to be understood that before the bags are delivered to the novel mechanism forming the subject matter of the present application, the open top walls thereof have been partially folded 5 into closing relation by making one or more trans verse folds therein. Mechanisms suitable for thus initially folding the walls of the open bag tops are shown and described in my patent, No. 5 1,772,824, and form no part of the present invention.

In the drawings I have shown a gumming mechanism for applying a coating of gum to certain surfaces of the bag top or body, or to both, for securing the folded bag top directly to the bag body in sealing relation, but it is to be understood that the invention may be used in connection with other types of bag closing and sealing machines in which the folded bag tops are not secured directly to the bag bodies by gumming surfaces thereof, as above stated, but wherein the bag tops are secured in sealing relation by gummed tape or sealing strips.

The gumming mechanism herein shown briefly comprises a pair of horizontally disposed pressure rollers, not shown, which engage the partially folded bag top and press the walls thereof into flatwise relation while supported in substantially a vertical position. The bag top then passes into 5 engagement with a gumming wheel'45, which applies a coating of gum to the partially folded bag top at the point indicated at 48 in Figure 3, after which the bag top passes between suitable guide members 49 and 50, which, it will be noted by reference to Figure 6, are spaced apart to provide a gap 5| adapted to receive the upstanding, partially folded bag top. The gumming mechanism also comprises a suitable receptacle 4! adapted to contain a suitable adhesive or gum which is conveyed therefrom and applied to the has top bythe gumming wheel 45. The latter is shown having a suitable drive, generally indicated by the numeral 52. This drive is shown in detail in my pending application, above mentioned,'and

40 it is therefore thought unnecessary to herein describe the same in detail.

The novel bag top folding mechanism herein disclosed is shown comprising a folding member or shoe 60, secured to the lower end of an arm,

generally indicated by the numeral 6| This arm comprises spaced members 62 having their lower ends shown integrally connected to a plate portion 63, to which the shoe ill is directly secured. The upper end of the arm Si is pivotally supported I upon a pivot pin 64, supported in suitable brackets 65, shown secured to an upstanding frame portion 66, which, in turn, is secured to the bed plate 2 of the machine.

The shoe is preferably shaped, as shown in 5 Figures 3 and 4, and has its leading edge portion 51 curved upwardly, whereby it may engage the partially folded bag top, indicated at 66, and fold it downwardly into engagement with the bag body, as shown in Figure 4, by a sliding action.

The shoe 60 is operated by a connecting rod 69, having one end pivotally connected to the lower portion of the arm 6| by a pivot pin ll, and having its opposite end pivotally connected to an operating arm I2, pivoted at 13, and having its lower end shown provided with a roller 14 adapted to travel in a groove 15 in a cam 16. The cam 16 is shown secured to the operating shaft 8, and

is therefore adapted for direct rotation there-,

with. By thus connecting the arm ii to the operating arm 12, when the cam 16 is rotated, an oscillating movement is imparted to the arm 6|, whereby the shoe 6| will travel in a path crosswise to the travel of the bags. The movement of the shoe is so timed, that each time a bag is de- 1ivered to a position directly beneath the shoe 6',

as shown in Figure 3, the cam will be operated to actuate said shoe. It is to be understood that 7 during the operation of the shoe, the bagremains stationary in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4, as a result of the conveyer chain 5 being oper- 5 ated intermittently.

In'order that the partially folded bag top 88 may be accurately .and squarely folded into engagement with the bag body, a member, generally indicated by the numeral I1, is adapted to cooperate with the shoe 60 to hold the partially folded bag top 68 in longitudinal alinement with the travel of the bag, and against and over which the bag top 68 is folded by the shoe 60, when the latter is operated. 15

The member I1 is shown having a straight I edge 18 slightly curved at one end, as indicated at 19, and which normally is spaced from the adjacent portion of the shoe 60 to provide a gap therebetween adapted to. receive the partially :l folded bag top, as indicated by the dotted lines 8| in Figure 6. One corner of'the shoe Oil is also rounded or curved, as indicated at, 82, whereby the bag top may more readily enter the gap provided between the straight edge and the :3 shoe 60. The member I1 is shown secured to a plate-portion 83 having a pair of arms .4 and 85 shown integrally secured thereto and having their upper ends pivotally connected thereto, the upper ends of which are pivotally supported 30 upon the pivot pin 64, as clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 5. The arm 84 extends upwardly beyond the pivot pin 64 and has one end' of a spring 86 shown connected thereto, the opposite end of which is secured to a small bracket 81 33 secured to the upstanding frame portion 68. An adjustable stop 88 is positioned to be engaged by the upper end of the arm 84 to thereby limit the forward movement of the straight edge ll.

The stop 88 is secured in adjusted position by an 4o adjusting screw 89.

To actuate the straight edge "I8, a screw II is shown received in threaded engagement with the plate portion 83, and is adapted to be engaged by an abutment member 92 provided upon one of 45 the spaced members 62 of the arm 6|, as will be clearly understood by reference to Figures 3, 4, and 6. Thus, the straight edge is actuated by movement of the arm iii of the shoe 60, so that when the latter is moved forwardly, the abutment 92 will engage the terminal of the screw 9i and thus impart a swinging movement to the straight edge 18, as shown in Figure 4. When the shoe 60 returns to its normal position, shown in Figure 3, the abutment 92 of the arm 6| will move 5:; out of engagement with the screw 9|, as soon as the upper end of the arm 84 engages the stop 88, thereby enlarging the gap between the straight edge and the adjacent side of the shoe 60, so that the bag top may readily be received between said parts, as indicated in Figure 6. I

The adjusting screw 89 provides means whereby the position of the straight edge may be adjusted transversely of the conveyer so as to accurately position it with respect to the shoe member 60 and the partially folded bag top I. The straight edge I. is provided with elongated slots 93 for receiving the screws 94 which secure the straight edge to the plate portion 83, and whereby the shoe may be conveniently adjusted 7 in a vertical direction to properly allne it with respect to the bag top.

The shoe 60 may be adjusted transversely with respect to the conveyer by varying the length of the connecting rod 89. In Figures 1, 3 and 4 of 7 the drawings, I'have shown one end of the connecting rod provided with means whereby the length thereof may readily be varied in a manner Y ersing slots 96 provided in the upper portion 91' of the frame 66.

The guide 50 is also adjustably mounted whereby it may be positioned to suit the size of the bag. To thusadjust the guide member 59, it is I9 of the guide member to be moved with respect to the member 49 to thereby properly adjust it with respect to the bag top 5I, indicated in dotted lines in Figure 6. The guide member 59 may also be angularly adjusted with respect to the horizontal, as shown in Figure 3, by manipulation of the screws I93 received in the slots I92, and which secure the bracket 99 to the frame member 66. The guide member 49, in like manner, is relatively movable in a direction crosswise of the conveyer by suitable means such as indicated at 89 in Figure 6. Thus the gap 5| may be longitudinally alined with the opening provided between the adjacent portions or edges of the members 69 and I1, and the gap 5| may also be varied in width to 'suit the size of the bag top.

Thus, it will be seen that the various parts of the novel mechanism herein disclosed are relatively adjustable whereby the mechanism may be quickly adjusted to adapt it for bags of diiferen sizes.

An important feature of the structure resides in the particular construction and operation of the shoe member 69, whereby the latter has a wiping action upon the bag top when folding it into closing relation, as shown in Figure 4. This assures that the bag top will be squarely and smoothly folded into engagement with the bag body in such a manner that the material or paper constituting the bag top walls, cannot buckle or wrinkle, which frequently occurs when using bag closing and sealing machines of ordinary construction.

The provision of the straight edge I8 is also important in that it positively prevents the partially folded bag top from unfolding, when delivered to a position in front'of the shoe 69. It holds the partially folded bag top in the position shown in Figure 3 until the shoe 69 has commenced its forward movement and partially folded the bag top over against the bag body, whereupon the abutment 92 engages the screw 9| and thereby moves the straight edge out of the way so that the partially folded bag top 68 may be folded into contact with the bag body, as clearly illustrated in Figure 4.

The shoe 69 is so shaped and positioned with respect to the bag body that when it is actuated by the connecting rod 69, it will exert a downward pressure upon the folded bag top, as will be understood by reference to Figure 4. The cam groove I5 in the cam 16 is shaped so as to cause the shoe 69 to be temporarily retained in the position shown in Figure 4, until the bag is moved from beneath the shoe by one of the flights II of the conveyer chain and under a pressure member I94, secured in position over the line of travel of the bags, and which is adapted to exert a slight downward pressure upon the tops of the bags to thereby hold the sealed bag top in such position until the gum has had time to set. The pressure member I94 is shown supported upon suitable members I95, shown in Figure 6, and is vertically adjustable to adapt. it for bags of different heights.

By the employment of this novel folding mechanism in connection with a bag closing and sealing machine, each bag discharged from the machine will have its top neatly folded into sealing engagement with the bag body in such a manner that the top of the bag is smooth and neatly shaped, and is free from wrinkles and other unsightly marks, often resulting when folding the bag tops with ordinary folding mechanisms. The folding mechanism is comparatively simple and inexpensive and is universally adjustable so that it may be adapted for handling bags of different sizes and shapes. It operates in timed relation to the travel of the bags and is so timed that it operates only during the interval when a bag is at rest between the shoe member 69 and the member 11.

In the drawings, I have shown the folding mechanism as used in connection with machines such as disclosed in my pending application, 'hereinbefore mentioned, but it is to be understood that it may be used in connection with various other types of bag closing and sealing machines where applicable without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus for closing and sealing filled containers whose open tops have previously been partially closed, means for advancing the containers, and a mechanism positioned to receive the partially folded container tops comprising a member mounted for swinging movement crosswise to the line of travel of the containers and from. a pivot disposed at an elevation above said line of travel, whereby said member will engage each partially folded container top with a wiping action, and fold and press it into contact with a portion of the container body.

2. In an apparatus for closing and sealing filled containers whose open tops have previously been partially closed, means for advancing the containers, a mechanism positioned to receive thepartially folded container tops comprising a member mounted for swinging movement crosswise to the line of travel of the containers from a pivot disposed above thecontainers and substantially in the medial plane thereof, whereby said member will enga e each partially closed container top with a wiping action and fold and press it into contact with the top of the container body, with a. relatively greater pressure on the central portion of the bag top, directly beneath said pivot, than at the sides thereof.

3. In an apparatus for closing and sealing filled bags, means for advancing the bags along a predetermined path subsequent to having the walls of their open tops partially folded into closing relation, gum applying means, and a mechanism positioned to receive each partially folded bag top from said gum applying means, while supported in an upright position, comprising a member mounted for swinging movement from a pivot 4. In an apparatus for closing and sealing filled bags, means for advancing the bags subsequent to having the walls of their open tops partially folded into closing relation, a mechanism positioned to 5 receive each partially folded bag top while supported in an upright position, comprising a member movable crosswise to the travel of the bags and adapted to engage each partially folded bag top and fold it into sealing engagement with'the bag body by a wiping action, and means operable by movement of said member to prevent the partially folded bag tops from unfolding, when delivered to said mechanism, and before they are engaged by said member.

5. In an apparatus for closing and sealing filled bags, means for advancing the bags, gum applying means, a mechanism positioned to receiveeach bag top from said gum applying means comprising a member movable crosswise to the: travel 20 of the bags and adapted to engage each bag top and fold it into sealing engagement with the bag body by a wiping action, and meansoperable by movement of-said member and cooperatingto complete the closing and sealing of the bag top.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, means for receiving a bag whose open top walls have been partially folded into closing relation, a movable straight edge adapted to engage the partially folded bag top to prevent it from un- 30 folding, a shoe member mounted for swinging movement crosswise of the bag top adaptedto engage and fold it over said straight edge and into engagement with the bag body, to thereby close the bag, and means whereby the straight from unfolding, when received between said members, and the shoe memberv engaging the bag top and folding it downwardly into sealing 'engagement with the bag body with a wiping action, and means on the shoe member for engaging the guide member and moving it out of the path of the shoe member.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, means for conveying the bags, an element adapt-. ed to engage the bag top, a shoe member mounted for swingingmovementfrom an axis disposed lengthwise of the conveying means, adapted to engage the bag top with a wiping action and fold it smoothly into sealing engagement with the bag body, and means on the shoe member for actuating said element to move it out of engagement with the bag top.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, means for receiving a bag whose open top has been partially folded into closing relation, a

straight edge adapted to engage the partially edge is moved out of engagement with the bag' operating to prevent the partially folded bag top s,oas,417

folded bag top to prevent it from unfolding, a shoemember spaced from said straight edge and mounted for movement crosswise of the bag top and adapted to engage the latter with a wiping action and fold itintogsealing engagement with the bag body, means for varying the spacing between said straight edge and said shoe member, whereby the apparatus may be adjusted for handling bags of different sizes, and a pivot common to the straight edge and the shoe member.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, means for receiving a bag whose 'open top has been partially folded into closing relation, a guide member mounted for swinging movement over the partially folded bag top and normally positioned to engage the latter to prevent it from unfolding, a shoe member also mounted for swinging movement over the bag and operatlvely associated with said guide member, said shoe member being adapted to engage the partially folded bag top and fold it into sealing engagement with the bag body by a wiping action, and

means on said shoe member adapted to engage means on said guide member to thereby actuate the latter. 1

11. In an apparatus of the class described, a conveyer, a station adapted to receive a bag therefrom whose top has been partially closed. and cooperating members at said station spaced apart to receive the partially folded bag top therebetween and adapted to fold it firmly and smoothly into engagement with the. bag body. said cooperating members being movable together as a unit.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, a conveyor, a gumming mechanism, a station adapted to receive a bag from said gumming mechanism, cooperating members at said station spaced apart to receive the bag top, means on one of said membersengageable with the other of said members to vary the spacing between said members; means for operating said members in timed relation to the movement of the conveyer, and whereby eachtime a bag is delivered to said station, said members will be operated as a unit to fold the walls of the bag top into sealing engagement with the'bag body with a wiping action, and whereby the bag .top walls are pressed smoothly into contact with the bag body with the maximum pressure applied to the bag top in the region of its center, and means whereby thevarious parts ofthe apparatus may be relatively adjusted to adapt it for handling bags of different sizes.

13. In an apparatus for closing and sealing filled bags, means for advancing the bags, gum applying means, a mechanism positioned to receive each bag top from said gum applying means comprising a member movably mounted over the bags and adapted to engage each bag top and fold it into sealing engagement with the bag body by a wiping action, and means operable by movement of said member, and cooperating therewith to' complete the closing and sealing of the bag top.

HELMER ANDERSON. 

